Oregon General Knowledge Test
From I-84's gorge winds to the Siskiyou Summit grades, this test covers the real Oregon roads you'll drive.
Select Test Mode
50 questions, 80% to pass, 60 minutes. Oregon DMV tests on real road scenarios you'll face from Astoria to Burns.
Key Topics
- •Vehicle inspection procedures
- •Mountain driving and braking
- •Oregon chain and weight rules
About the Oregon General Knowledge Test
Topics Covered
- ✓Vehicle inspection — Oregon examiners expect you to check brake lights, tires, and coupling devices thoroughly. Missing a cracked trailer light on a rainy night can cost you.
- ✓Basic control and shifting — Mountain grades on I-5's Siskiyou Pass and US-20 through the Cascades demand smooth gear changes. Oregon test questions focus on downhill shifting.
- ✓Speed management — 55 mph for trucks on most Oregon highways, but lower in construction zones and the Columbia Gorge. Know when to slow down before a curve or grade.
- + 3 more topics
📘 Study Tips & State Info
Oregon DMV examiners love questions about air brakes and combination vehicles, even on the General Knowledge test. Don't skip those sections in the manual. They also emphasize Oregon's chain laws — you'll see at least one question about when chains are required and how to install them. Study the Oregon-specific supplement in the CDL manual, not just the federal sections.
Another tip: practice identifying road signs and pavement markings. Oregon uses some unique signage for truck routes, low clearance bridges, and weigh stations. The test will show you a sign and ask what it means. Spend time memorizing the sign shapes and colors. Also, understand log truck regulations — Oregon is a top timber state, and the DMV expects drivers to know how to share the road with loaded log trucks.
Finally, take our practice test under timed conditions. 60 minutes for 50 questions sounds generous, but you'll waste time second-guessing. Get comfortable with the format. Oregon DMV computers don't let you go back to previous questions once you answer. You can't change an answer after you click next. So think carefully before you submit each one. Our simulator mimics that exact flow.
Oregon DMV handles all CDL testing at designated driver license offices. You can find a list on the Oregon DMV website under 'CDL Services.' Major testing locations include Portland (SE 122nd Ave), Salem (Downtown), Eugene (Chad Dr), Medford (W Main St), and Bend (NE 2nd St). Appointments are required for the CDL knowledge test — walk-ins aren't accepted. Schedule online or call the office directly.
You'll need to bring your valid Oregon driver license, Social Security card, and a current Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT physical). The General Knowledge test fee is $10. If you fail, you can retake after 24 hours for another $10 each time. No limit on retakes. After passing, you'll get a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) valid for 180 days. You can renew it once without retesting.
Oregon also requires you to pass a vision screening at the DMV before taking the knowledge test. Minimum vision is 20/40 with or without correction. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them to the test. Oregon doesn't allow foreign language interpreters during the test — you must read English. The test is available in Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese at some offices, but call ahead to confirm availability.
About the Oregon General Knowledge Test
Oregon's CDL General Knowledge test isn't just a checkbox. It's the foundation for every commercial license you'll hold in this state. Whether you're driving logs down Highway 38 near Reedsport or hauling freight through the Columbia Gorge on I-84, you need to know the rules cold. The test covers vehicle inspection, basic control, shifting, backing, and Oregon-specific regulations like chain requirements and weight limits.
Oregon follows federal CDL standards, but we add our own flavor. You'll see questions about driving in heavy rain, fog on I-5 through the Willamette Valley, and mountain descents on routes like US-26 over the Coast Range. The Oregon DMV expects you to understand how these conditions affect your braking distance and stopping ability. Don't expect generic textbook questions — these are practical.
The test is 50 multiple-choice questions. You need 40 correct to pass — that's 80%. Most folks don't walk in and ace it cold. The Oregon CDL manual is 200+ pages, and the exam pulls from all sections. You'll need to know air brake basics, even if you're not getting an air brake endorsement yet, because combination vehicles rely on them. Study the manual, take practice tests, and understand the 'why' behind each rule.
Oregon DMV offices administer the test on computers. You'll get your results immediately. If you fail, you can retake after a 24-hour wait. No limit on retakes, but each attempt costs a fee. Best to pass the first time. Our practice test mirrors the real thing — same format, same style of questions, same time pressure. Use it to find your weak spots before you walk into the DMV.
Topics Covered
Study Tips
Oregon DMV examiners love questions about air brakes and combination vehicles, even on the General Knowledge test. Don't skip those sections in the manual. They also emphasize Oregon's chain laws — you'll see at least one question about when chains are required and how to install them. Study the Oregon-specific supplement in the CDL manual, not just the federal sections.
Another tip: practice identifying road signs and pavement markings. Oregon uses some unique signage for truck routes, low clearance bridges, and weigh stations. The test will show you a sign and ask what it means. Spend time memorizing the sign shapes and colors. Also, understand log truck regulations — Oregon is a top timber state, and the DMV expects drivers to know how to share the road with loaded log trucks.
Finally, take our practice test under timed conditions. 60 minutes for 50 questions sounds generous, but you'll waste time second-guessing. Get comfortable with the format. Oregon DMV computers don't let you go back to previous questions once you answer. You can't change an answer after you click next. So think carefully before you submit each one. Our simulator mimics that exact flow.
Oregon Specific Information
Oregon DMV handles all CDL testing at designated driver license offices. You can find a list on the Oregon DMV website under 'CDL Services.' Major testing locations include Portland (SE 122nd Ave), Salem (Downtown), Eugene (Chad Dr), Medford (W Main St), and Bend (NE 2nd St). Appointments are required for the CDL knowledge test — walk-ins aren't accepted. Schedule online or call the office directly.
You'll need to bring your valid Oregon driver license, Social Security card, and a current Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT physical). The General Knowledge test fee is $10. If you fail, you can retake after 24 hours for another $10 each time. No limit on retakes. After passing, you'll get a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) valid for 180 days. You can renew it once without retesting.
Oregon also requires you to pass a vision screening at the DMV before taking the knowledge test. Minimum vision is 20/40 with or without correction. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them to the test. Oregon doesn't allow foreign language interpreters during the test — you must read English. The test is available in Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese at some offices, but call ahead to confirm availability.